The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-12-10


babe in her arms, and poor, skinny
Nanny-goat was bleating disconsolate-
ly, tied To stake.
what brought you to this degree of
poverty" asked the sympathetic officer,
as they rode on together. "You appear
to be strong and willing to labor
misfortune, your honor has brought
me into this Decline" answered the
laborer. Il have always been unfor-
tunate. This little farm belonged to
my wife; her parents, who were both
old, died on the same day, after long
and tedious illness. Then my two chill
dren died-they were both sick a long
time--and having to care for them, l
was unable to work and so could earn
no money. We gave up the farm to a
rich neighbor, who promised to let us
have it back again for the same sum
when we were able to do it. But the
crops have been poor two seasons fol-
lowing, and my wife was sick all last
year, so that we had to borrow more
money. He now hires me, and allows
me so much for every days work.
Last Lammas-tide (AugusD my wife
was sick again, and misfortune seems
determined to follow me all my life. "
yours is a sad story, my friend"
said the officer, wiping tear from his
stern eye. But why have you not pc
titioned the King for aid?"
l. &,
poor peasant like mep'
He cares a great deal. Have you
never heard that his greatest desire is
to have his peasantry happy? | have
heard him say that he hoped to reign
so that every poor man might have u
fowl in his pot on Sunday
mo, have never heard of it. That
speaks of a good heart in His Majesty's
bosom. But | should meyer dare to
ride to Blois to tell him my story"
Go with me; l will bear you COM
pany. l know the King well; he will
not turn away from YOU"
But l don't know his Majesty, and
among so many COURT, IS / might make
a mistake" urged the peasant, still
hesitating.
"Pshaw! you will have no trouble on
that score. You will know the King
because he will have his hat on; all the
others will have theirs of"
III remember that" said poor
jacques, humbly.
BY and by as they rode on they saw
troop of mounted officers coming to-
ward them at gallop, Their plumes
and mantles and scarfS fluttered on the
breeze, and their rich caparisons and
accouterments glittered in the sun.
"Yonder fellows belong to the court;
perhaps the King is with them" said
the mysterious rider. "Now is the
time to make your request, and don't
forget that he will be the only one who
is not bare-headed.
The company came up, and at sight
of the little man with the grizzled
beard and pointed mustache, dressed
in the black velvet suit, every one of
the brilliantly dressed horscmen sprang
to the ground and pulled their hats off.
The peasants wind-tanned face turned
Il CHASTITY hue, and he stared at his
companion with eyes that grew as big
as saucers.
"Well, my friend. do you know the
King now?" asked the little man, with
queer smile.
II faith, your honor" answered the
clown, with a bewildered air, 'either
You or must be the King, for we are
the only ones who have our hats on"
True laughed Henry the Fourth.
"either you or | must be the King, and
your troubles are at an end. Rosny.'
turning to one of the dismounted cour-
tiers, give this man purse of gold;
he deserves it" Then addressing the
astonishcd peasant once more he con-
tinued: $50 home and be happy, and
may your fortune hereafter be equal to
your deserts, so that you may have
fowl in your pot every day in the week
and two for Sundays. Fired IL. Colby,
IN CopgrcgGti0natiSt.